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The Nordic Chinese Culture Festival will showcase the performances of the forty-person Northern Kunqu Opera Troupe, founded in 1957. Kunqu Opera is the oldest existing form of Chinese opera which features music played on traditional instruments.

In the last century, Kunqu Opera was on the verge of disappearance, but in 2001 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List and is now experiencing a period of strong revival. This over six centuries old musical tradition has laid the foundations for its slightly better known cousin, the Beijing Opera. For this reason, it is often referred to as the "father of Chinese opera."

Appreciating the unique opera performances does not require knowledge of the Chinese language as the stories unfold through facial expressions and body language. Lavish costumes, facial makeup and the operatic melodies also play an important role in conveying the message to the audience.

The Northern Kunqu Opera Troupe will perform one of the great masterpieces of Chinese classical opera The Romance of the Western Bower. The romantic opera written by Wang Shifun tells of a young couple's struggle to gain society's approval to get married.

Tickets:40/32€

Helsinki: Sept. 3 and 4 at 19.00, Aleksanteri Theatre. Ticket office tel. (09) 676 9980, hours 10.00 - 15.00

Tampere: Sept. 1 at 19.00, Tampere Hall. Ticket office tel. 0600 94500 (1.25 € min.+ ppm)

Turku: 7.9. klo 20.00, Åbo Svenska Teater. Ticket office tel. (02) 277 7377, hours 12.00-17.00 starting Aug. 14

Tickets from Lippupalvelu tel. 0600 10 800 (1.50 €/min.+ ppm) Mon-Fri 8.00-20.00

Stockholm: Ticket: 375 SEK, Scalateater Ticket office tel.08-14 35 75, or Ticnet tel.077-170 07 07, hours 12-17 starting Aug.21